“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” – Henry David Thoreau
Visit the Artisan Village… you’ll “see”!
2023 Spruce Forest Artisan Village Newsletter
Here’s Where We Are Now!
Happy to report that all damage caused by the devastating storm of 2020 has been repaired and all debris removed. We have a grand, new plan developed between Penn Alps and Spruce Forest, working with Greenscapes, LLC that will include walks, an entrance rebuild, tree plantings, lighting and a future building.
Here are some of our milestones as we continue to rebuild after the storm:
Twenty-five trees have been planted with a plan to plant more in spring 2023, once the parking area is expanded and Covered Bridge is rebuilt. This was a huge expense. It’s important to note that all of the donation money received for the purposes of rebuilding has been used for replacement trees.
The Casselmead Building was painted and repaired inside and is now uses for two artists or artist groups, as well as for artisan classes.
Last year the spring house (below Casselmead), was painted and repaired and was used all summer for weekly children’s classes. Alta Schrock had named the building The Kinder Haus, as it was used for classes by her, many years ago. A board member made the Kinder Haus sign for the building.
A directional sign noting where all the artisans and buildings are was placed in the Village in a space toward the Casselman Bridge.
A grant was obtained from The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority for The Granary to display signage on its east-facing side to inform visitors on Rt. 40 of all the entities on the Little Crossings Campus. The Granary now includes a Welcome and Information Center.
COMING IN APRIL & MAY
The parking lot between Penn Alps and Spruce Forest will be extended and include new lighting
Additional trees will be plant along the parking lot
The new Covered Bridge Entrance will be built in May
The Grand Opening of the redone Granary, and Welcome Center will be held on May 1st. It will be an introduction of Lynford Yoder, resident artist in The Granary. Lynford is an accomplished oil painter, and holds regular painting classes in the Granary. Lynford is a professional framer and has a custom framing business within the Granary space.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
New pathways from the Covered Bridge Entrance to all the cabins in Spruce Forest
Historical markers along pathways
New Historical markers on all the cabins that include a way for visitors to use their cell phones to hear a message about the history of the building.
Reconstruction of Alta’s Cabin that was heavily damaged by the storm. A committee is working to rebuild it.
Plans for either a Large Pavilion with stage or a new cabin for additional artisan space.
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• Twenty-five trees have been planted with a plan to plant more in spring 2023, once the parking area is expanded and Covered Bridge is rebuilt. This was a huge expense. it’s important to note that all of the donation money received for the purposes of rebuilding was used for these trees.
• The Casselmead Building was painted and repaired inside and is now uses for two artists or artist groups, as well as for artisan classes.
• Last year the spring house (below Casselmead), was painted and repaired and was used all summer for weekly children’s classes. Alta Schrock had named the building The Kinder Haus, as it was used for classes by her, many years ago. A board member made the Kinder Haus sign for the building.
• A directional sign noting where all the artisans and buildings are was placed in the Village in a space toward the Casselman Bridge.
• A grant was obtained from The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority for the Granary to display signage on its east-facing side to inform visitors on Rt. 40 of all the entities on the Little Crossings Campus. The Granary now includes a Welcome and Information Center.
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• The parking lot between Penn Alps and Spruce Forest will be extended and include new lighting
• Additional trees will be plant along the parking lot
• The new Covered Bridge Entrance will be built in May
• The Grand Opening of the redone Granary, and Welcome Center will be held on May 1st. It will be an introduction of Lynford Yoder, resident artist in The Granary. Lynford is an accomplished oil painter, and holds regular painting classes in the Granary. Lynford is a professional framer and has a custom framing business within the Granary space.
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• New pathways from the Covered Bridge Entrance to all the cabins in Spruce Forest
• Historical markers along pathways
• New Historical markers on all the cabins that include a way for visitors to use their cell phones to hear a message about the history of the building.
• Reconstruction of Alta’s Cabin that was heavily damaged by the storm. A committee is working to rebuild it
• Plans for either a Large Pavilion with stage or a new cabin for additional artisan space
WorkshopsThe Summer and Fall schedules offer variety in media and mastery. Come explore watercolor, quilling, sewing, colored pencil, basket-making, and more!
Our History Grows... And there’s always more to learn! The century-old Village Church made a forty-mile trip to be reassembled here in 1995. Read More...
Spruce Forest Hits the Small Screen with Barnwood Builders on Amazon Prime!
The White House Becomes A Studio Space Called “Casselmead”
The Casselmead studios at Spruce Forest Artisan Village will be open on Saturdays in November (10 to 5). Lenore Lancaster will be in the front studio with her colored pencil art. A new print of Casselmead bridge will be featured with other pictures of local interest.
The back studio is set up with Spruce Forest Artisan Village fundraiser "solmate" socks and Stutzman poster of the Little Crossings area.
Both will be open for Christmas in the Village Friday December 3rd from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday December 4th from noon to 8.
In December: Guest Artists In the Great Hall
We are pleased to have again this year Spruce Forest guest artists in the Great Hall on the second floor of Penn Alps restaurant. Carolyn Groves (tatting), Janice Beall (fabric art), Jim Cumiskey (crushed glass art) will be returning. Two new artists Linda Steward (watercolor) and Dwight Yoder (blown glass) will also be joining the group. The great room will be open from 4pm to 8pm on Friday December 3th and noon to 8 on Saturday December 4th.
Tatting is a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace from a series of knots and loops. Tatting can be used to make lace edging as well as doilies, collars, accessories such as earrings and necklaces, and other decorative pieces.
New WayFinding Sign!
And We’re Sowing The Seeds Of Artisan “Saplings”!
Coming To The Village?
It’s FREE! Once you arrive, just pick up a Village Tour Guide mini brochure from any of the artists’ studios. It’s yours to keep. A larger book with more detailed information is also available to visitors to use and return. The Village is a special place where every day promises something new. Check the Events page for events and hours of various studios and museums.